WHEN David Joseph Perren, 38, logged onto a chat room looking for a "sugar baby", he thought he'd found what he was looking for in 14-year-old Abbey Jones.

Little did he know, he was one of many to be stung by Task Force Argos and the girl - who went by the screen name AbbeyJ - was actually a police officer.

Throughout the pair's online relationship in late 2014, Perren was made aware of her young age several times, but this didn't deter him, a court heard.

Despite the 22-year age difference, Perren offered to teach the girl about sex, buy her sex toys so she could masturbate while talking to him on the phone and asked her to consider being his "sugar baby".

Perren asked Abbey for her number so he could meet with her in her hometown of Brisbane, but no plans were made.

In July 2015, police searched Perren's house and while he admitted to owning his computer, denied knowledge of the Skype account used to talk to Abbey and refused to give police his passwords.

David Joseph Perren leaves court after pleading guilty to using the internet to procure a child under 16.Chloe Lyons

He today pleaded guilty in Maroochydore District Court to using the internet to procure a child under 16 and disobedience by lawful order, with his parents in court to support him.

Perren's defence barrister told the court his client had lived an "isolated lifestyle" and was bullied at school due to his weight.

The court further heard Perren worked at Zone 3 and Time Zone for a significant period of time, but was now unemployed and living with his parents.

Judge John Robertson said in Perren's favour there was no actual child images, videos or live streaming involved and he had no criminal history.

Perren was given a 15-month prison sentence suspended for three years for procuring the child and a 10-month supervision order for refusing to provide his password to police.